Court Settles Real Property Dispute

A New York Probate Lawyer said that, plaintiff asserts that summary judgment should be granted in his favor. He was married to his wife in January of 1995. On January 30, 1995, property was purchased at 2426 St. Raymond Avenue in Bronx County and title was held by defendant his wife and, her husband. Plaintiff asserts that his wife passed away on December 16, 2000 and since plaintiff and his wife held the property as tenants by the entirety, upon the death of his wife, her interest transferred to plaintiff as a matter of law.

A New York Will Lawyer said that, defendants oppose the motion by plaintiff and assert that plaintiff’s deceased wife, in her Last Will and Testament, bequeathed her half share of the property equally to her husband, the plaintiff, and defendant. Moreover, her will provided that defendant must approve, in writing, any decision to sell said property. Therefore, defendants contend that plaintiff is entitled to a 3/8 share of the value of the property as is defendant. In addition, defendant provided all of the money for the down payment on the property including closing costs in the sum of $27,000 and she paid for all renovations made to the property in the approximate sum of $7,000. Defendants assert that if the property is partitioned and sold, she should receive credit for those payments. Defendants further contend that there is a probate proceeding pending in

A New York Wills Lawyer said that, Surrogate Court in Bronx County as to the same issues raised in plaintiff’s cause of action herein and Surrogate Court is the proper forum in which to determine this matter. Therefore, defendants assert that the instant matter should be dismissed in the interest of judicial economy.

A Bronx Probate Attorney said that, defendants also cross-move for an order restraining plaintiff from the commission of further waste on the subject property during the pendency of this action. Specifically, defendants assert that said property is a two-family house. Plaintiff lives in one apartment and the other apartment is vacant. Defendants assert that plaintiff has not allowed the defendants’ access to the vacant unit since June 2007 to repair and renovate it so that it can be rented out and generate an income. They argue that only plaintiff is benefitting from ownership of the premises and plaintiff’s actions are a financial detriment to the defendants. Defendants further reiterate their position that the pending Surrogate’s Court proceeding is the proper forum in which to determine this matter and, therefore, the instant action should be dismissed. Defendants would withdraw their application if this court determines that Surrogate’s Court is the proper forum. Plaintiff did not submit any papers in opposition to defendants’ cross-motion or their request that the instant action be dismissed.

The issue in this case is whether plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment should be granted; on the ground that Surrogate’s Court proceeding is the proper forum in which to determine this matter.

The court in deciding the case said that, plaintiff has not demonstrated his entitlement to summary judgment as a matter of law in that his deceased wife’s last will and testament provided for a different apportionment of her share of the property upon her death. Since that is a matter currently being litigated in Surrogate’s Court and it is the proper forum for determining the apportionment of the property, the motion and cross-motion are hereby denied and plaintiff’s cause of action is hereby dismissed without prejudice as Surrogate’s Court is the proper forum for this action. Defendants are directed to serve a copy of this order with notice of entry upon the plaintiff and file proof thereof with the clerk’s office.

Accordingly, a Brooklyn Probate Lawyer said the court held that, the motion by plaintiff for partial summary judgment establishing his right to a 50% interest in the subject property is denied. The cross-motion by defendants for an order pursuant to RPAPL § 211 restraining plaintiff from the commission of any further waste upon the property located at 2426 St. Raymond Avenue in Bronx County is, likewise, denied. This constitutes the decision and order of the court.

If you are involved in a similar facts and case, seek the assistance of a Bronx Will Contest Attorney and/or Bronx Estate Administration Attorney at Stephen Bilkis and Associates in order to help you with your case. Call us for free legal consultation.